New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-10
FOREST AND PRAIRIES BLAZING.
EFFECTS OF DRoUTH IN THE NORTHWEST.
HOUSES AND TOWNS THREATENED BY THE FIRES
sUPFERING ABOUT CHICAGO


SUFFERING ABOUT CHICAGO
CHICAGO Aug 9-reegrams received this morning
from central points throughout the entire $4,000 square
miles of drouthstrcKen Northwest country show tha
the fearful unscorching Of all vegetation continues un
mitigated Not drop OF rain has fallen except eight
onehundredths Of inch at Des Moines bare sprinkle
the deep dust Local observations In the various dis
trcts give but little hope Of break within the coming
twentyfour hours trne cooler weather and scattered
light showers expected In some places, but the con-
ditons such that II the possible little moisture and
GOODNESS all delayed their effect will be totally lost
In seemingly imminent further general rise OF temper
ature from end to end OF the drouth region.
The effect OF the drouth In Chicago was noticeable In
many small fires to-day, but they convey no idea Of the
condition OF things In the country Immediately sur
rounding the city, Never before have the farmers and
residents OF the suffered from the heat and
dry weather All the vegetables OF the small gardeners
have been killed. All along the railroad tracks the
praries fire. and the residents Of the suburbs
called at all hours of the day and night to extin
guish the flames when they threaten the barns and
houses.
At Western Springs q valuable grove OF young trees
has been completely destroyed, and the neighbOrng
dwelling houses only saved by the greatest efforts
Out on the Rock Island road things are even worse
Fences all along the line of the road re, and the
air Is constantly filled with the smoke OF the burning
prare grass. At South Engewood every called
OF churcn Sunday to fight the fire. Water is
scarce Cisterns and wells alike empty. and the
greatest economy OF the precious liquid Is observed
Cattle actually suffering for water, and stand for
hours lowing in their distress At Washington Heights
water that 1t has been sold for cents
pail, aud found ready market
Times special dispatch from St. Ignace Mich. says:
This city has been in imminent danger OF being con-
sumed by fire. About two miles wost OF the city ter.
rlbe forest tire is raging. westerly gale was blowing
and tho fire department out in force. Fortunately
NJ vii nd IN he
tue town. All danger is now believed IN be past
Another Times ispatch. from Grand Haven, Mich.
says Heavy forest fires have been raging throughout
this for the last two weeks doing considerable
damage. The fire department was called out to fight
fire in adjoining south Of the city, back Of Lake
Forest Cemetery. About 400 acres burned In that
vicinity. and the fire encroached upon the cemetery.
wherc it burned the of about thirty lots. badly
bleaching tombstones ETC. The fire is now under control
south here is raging ercey 10 the southeast Of
the city.
CARLYLE, H., Aug 9.-Praire fires have been OF fire.
auen in this vicinity during the last two
and the loss will aggregate thousands OF dollars
A farmer living alongside the Ohio and Mississippi Rail-
way had about fifty tons OF timothy burned on his
meadow. 1t supposed to have been set on fire By
locomotive spark He has filed complaint against the
company for heavy damages.
MILWAUKEE, Aug. "a dispatch to The Erening Wis
consin from Neilsville Wis. says: Forest fires have
broken out again this vicinity and causing consd
erane damage on the Eat Fork the logging camp OF
Charles squlres has been burned The loss Is heavy.
Near the place jam OF thousands OF logs, which
threatened rhe fire Is within mile of the jam aud
the wind is blowing toward It, August Hasely farmer
living about miles east OF here lost 32o cords oil
Fire broke out yesterday wedges Creek seven
miles west OF here. and is spreading pidly rms Is In
tile eignborhsod OF Hewettsvile which was destroyed
by fire just year ago yesterday
Considerable apprehension is felt here and the city has
been thoroughly down by the water works All day
yesterday heavy gale OF wind prevailed which ianned
the halucs.
News mas lust been received that the large stave mill
Helm Meyer, Wedges Creek, together with tnou
sands OF dollars worth of in great danger and
OF started from the city TO nght the names
fierce raging In the wood marsh southeast OF
PORTAGE and OF men Is hard AT work hghting the
flames large amount OF hay has been swept away ond
other property Is In danger.
ABOUT o'clock Tonight a gale swept over the elty'
the wind blowing at the rate of mile minute Ihe
main building and several minor structures on the state
Fair Grounds Cold spring Park were complsteiy
wrecked. six who were In them niracuIousis
escaped injury heavy rain fell. lasting an hour Adj
vices received the railway offices indicate that the
rain pretty general throughout the State, putting an
end to the drouth.
CEDAR SPRINGS. Mich, Aug. 9.-Ffres continueI TO
spread and large parties out fighting tho hanies NO
rain has fallen the middle OF June. The fires are
dangerous around BurChe5 mill.
CUEBOYG.S, Mich, Aug. 9-FOrcSt nres are again
raging this and destroying much pine snd
standing timber and burning fences and barns Farm
hgtlng the fires To save their homes ana stocK
heavy smoke hangs over The village;
SAND BEACH, Mich. Aug. 9-The village or Sandusky.
the county seat OF Sanlac County was nearly wiped out
this morning. which originated In the swamps
south OF the village. Nine buildings have been de-
stroy ed. and the loss 10 over $4,000.
PERILOUs ESCAPE FROM BURNING BUILDING